☕ Gaza's new aid system, explained

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Happy National Hamburger Day! A burger fact for you: the heaviest burger ever made came in at just over 2,000 pounds. It was made back in 2012 in the town of…

…Hamburg.

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Some headlines from this morning:

President Trump has issued pardons for a reality TV-star couple convicted of tax evasion and fraud, releasing the stars of “Chrisley Knows Best” three years into their multi-year sentence. Todd and Julie Chrisley promoted their lifestyle as real estate moguls on their television show over a decade ago, but were subsequently sentenced to twelve and seven years in prison, respectively, after trying to defraud their bank of over $30 million. President Trump told their daughter they had been treated “pretty harsh[ly]” before issuing the pardon.

President Donald Trump has suggested “Good news” about a nuclear deal with Iran will be announced today. The U.S. and Iran have been in talks to secure a deal that sees Iran discontinue their nuclear programs. No details of the agreement or discussions have been made public.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jnr announced he has removed the COVID-19 vaccine from the recommended vaccine schedule for pregnant women and children. At the time of writing, the Centers for Disease Control schedule has not been updated to reflect this announcement. Kennedy’s announcement came before the conclusion of investigations by an advisory body tasked with reexamining the vaccine schedules. The panel was expected to release its recommendations in June.

President Trump has continued his warnings against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bombing campaign in Ukraine. The President’s Truth Social post on late Tuesday morning warned Putin “he was playing with fire” after saying he had prevented lots of “really bad” things from happening to Russia in the past. The post follows comments from Trump calling the Russian “absolutely crazy” after Putin launched the most deadly attack on Ukrainian cities since the start of the war on Sunday.

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U.S. embassies and consulates have been instructed to suspend visa interview scheduling for prospective international students until they receive further guidance.

A cable sent from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by Politico told all U.S. consulates the move was “in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting.”

The increased vetting comes against a backdrop of the Trump administration's increased crackdowns on universities across the country.

Background

Earlier this year, the administration sought the ability to reject the applications of international students deemed “hostile to American values.”

Since that time, international students have had their visas canceled over their participation in pro-Palestine protests.

The administration has also attempted to ban Harvard University from accepting international students as part of its ongoing effort to compel the Ivy League institution to accept a list of demands published last month.

A judge placed a temporary block on the administration’s ban.

The Cable

Rubio’s cable was signed and sent on Tuesday, promising further guidance regarding social media vetting should be anticipated in the “coming days”.

The government has not specified the extent or type of social media vetting that will be undertaken. However, previous executive orders signed by President Trump have directed the government agencies to screen for anti-Semitism and terrorism.

White House Response

A State Department Spokesperson responded to the reporting, saying, "We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that's coming here, whether they are students or otherwise."

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On Monday, the Gaza Health Foundation (GHF), an Israeli-approved, U.S.-backed aid organisation, became the exclusive body distributing aid in Gaza.  

The GHF began operating after Israel demanded a new method of aid distribution. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of stealing aid supplies provided by the United Nations. Hamas denies these allegations 

In an effort to divert aid delivery away from the UN, the GHF currently operates out of four distribution hubs, each capable of feeding 300,000 people. These hubs are guarded by private security contractors and located near Israeli military facilities.

The UN and other aid groups have protested the new measure, with Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN aid coordination office, saying: “It is a distraction from what is actually needed.”

Background 

Yesterday marked the 600th day of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza after Hamas’ October 7 attacks killed 1,200 Israelis and took another 257 hostage. 

Israel’s offensive is estimated to have killed over 50,000 Palestinians. 

In March, a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas broke down and Israel recommenced a ground and air military operation in the Gaza strip. 

As part of this offensive, Israel said it imposed an 11-week blockade on all food, water, medicine and other aid entering Gaza to pressure Hamas into releasing the hostages. 

Following international pressure, including from U.S. senators, Israel allowed for the resumption of some aid last Monday. 

The UN has called this a “drop in the ocean” compared to what is needed. 

The Gaza Health Foundation 

The GHF became a publicly listed company earlier this year. It is run by American security contractors, ex-military personnel and aid workers. 

Israel and the U.S. deny funding the group. It claims to have $100 million in funding from an unnamed European Union government.

GHF has aid hubs in central and southern Gaza, with a commitment to establish more hubs within 30 days, including in the north. 

Criticism 

A spokesperson for a key humanitarian aid group in Gaza quoted by the Associated Press said they would not take part in a system that “violates humanitarian principles and risks implicating us in serious breaches of international law.”

The UN and aid groups allege the aid system allows Israel to determine who receives aid and exposes Palestinians to Israeli surveillance technology by requiring them to pass by military facilities. 

It has also been emphasised that last week Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the aid mechanism would assist in moving the Gazan population to the far south of the Gaza strip. 

GHF has denied working with Israel and says its system abides by all humanitarian principles.

Despite this, GHF CEO Jake Wood resigned on Sunday night claiming the group would not be allowed to operate independently. 

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